Vote Now! Best Space Stories of the Week - Sept. 1, 2013

Curiosity Drives Solo, Top-Secret Spy Satellite Launches & More

Last week a 3D-printed rocket part passed the biggest NASA test yet, America's largest rocket launched a top-secret spy satellite and Mars Rover Curiosity drove solo for the first time.

FIRST STOP: On Giant Blue Alien Planet, It Rains Molten Glass

On Giant Blue Alien Planet, It Rains Molten Glass

Photo Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Kornmesser

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On Giant Blue Alien Planet, It Rains Molten Glass

Although planet HD189733b was discovered eight years ago, astronomers are still trying to figure out more about the planet's environment. For example, it's blue, but its environment is quite different from Earth. [Full Story]

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3D-Printed Rocket Part Passes Biggest NASA Test Yet (Video)

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3D-Printed Rocket Part Passes Biggest NASA Test Yet (Video)

Photo Credit: NASA/MSFC/David Olive

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3D-Printed Rocket Part Passes Biggest NASA Test Yet (Video)

The biggest 3D printed rocket part built to date survived a hot-fire test, generating 10 times more thrust than any previous injector made by 3D printing, the space agency announced.[Full Story]

NEXT:
Earth Life Likely Came from Mars, Study Suggests

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Earth Life Likely Came from Mars, Study Suggests

Photo Credit: NASA/ESA

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Earth Life Likely Came from Mars, Study Suggests

Evidence is building that Earth life originated on Mars and was brought to our planet aboard a meteorite, says biochemist Steven Benner of The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology in Florida. [Full Story]